Chapter 4: There's More
#4 of Paul and Jamie's Story
Well, here it is, the fourth chapter. Sorry 'bout the long wait time. I did have this written a while ago, but I was never quite happy with it. I'll post it as-is and just be done with it! Anyway, I'm working on a sidebar chapter about Tré, and I'm far happier with how I'm writing it. This is a CLEAN chapter, (gasp!) more about the progression of story. I think I've rambled on enough... Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter Four: There's More by Nathaniel Nocturne
Even as he was just waking up, Jamie could tell that it was going to be a good day. The alarm didn't bother him quite so much that morning. He sat up, pondering the past weekend. Jamie felt his lips pull back in a smile, knowing who would be waiting for him at school. Digging through his drawers, the fox selected a pair of tan cargo shorts and a light-blue T-shirt, devoid of slogans. Grabbing his stuff, Jamie hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen, feeling a jubilant bounce in his step. Kris looked up from the newspaper and smiled at her son, seeing his tail swishing every which way.
"Well, good morning! Did you sleep well?"
"Like a rock in a coma." Jamie grinned. He poured his cereal, and a dulled crunching was the only noise in the kitchen for a few minutes. Jamie finished, and started for the door. "See you later, mom. Love you." He gave Kris a quick hug.
"Love you too, Jamie. Have a good day at school!"
"I will, mom. I will!" The fox teen walked outside, breathing in the spring air. The weather was very agreeable, perfect little clouds floating along here and there in the sky. Smiling, Jamie got into his car and set off for school, anxious to see his wolf.
After he reached school, Jamie scanned around for Paul.
"Lookin' for me?" A voice flowed warmly behind him. Jamie turned, and looked up into the eyes of his beloved Paul. His heart ached with want, wishing to be enveloped in those strong arms.
"Hey..." Jamie smiled up at his friend. "How'd you sleep last night?"
"Terribly. Something was missing." They grinned. "Oh, Jamie. I was talking to Kevin last night. He...um...he knows."
"Oh..."
"He's fine with it. Come to think of it, though, he seemed...sadder, after I told him. I wonder why...He was pretty quiet on the car ride to school this morning..."
"Well, we gotta go to class."
"Yeah..."
********************
Kevin met up with Keith at the usual spot before school, at one of the side entrances near the library. He still had no idea of what to say as he walked up to his friend.
"Uh...hey, Keith..." The wolf mumbled, obviously troubled.
"Hey Kev! Is, uh, everything alright?" Kieth leaned forward, looked at him sideways. "Something's up...What is it?" The leopard's six-ring pride necklace dangled from his neck, catching Kevin's eye.
"Uh..." Kevin glanced around. There weren't too many furs around, but he didn't feel safe. "Can we talk about it later, at lunch? Not here..." The wolf could feel his ears burning. The rainbow pendant seemed to be egging him on, making him all the more nervous.
"Come on...please? What is it?"
Kevin felt his eyes burning. Biting his lip, he shook his head, looking down at the floor. "Later..."
"Alright..." Keith shrugged.
Kevin was feeling torn up inside. 'Why am I feeling nervous talking to Keith? Gods...What'll dad do? Two gay sons? He'll kill us...damn it...'
********************
The morning flew by, leaving Jamie and Paul walking outside for lunch. They smiled coyly at each other as they made their way over to the bleachers. Paul looked up.
"Hey, there's Kevin...and Keith..."
"It's alright; Kevin already knows, doesn't he?"
"Yeah..."
They picked their way up the bleachers to the younger furs, calling up to them. Kevin turned away from Keith, looking solemn.
"Oh...Hey Paul, Jamie."
"Somethin' up, Kev? You were kind of down this morning."
"I was just talking to Keith, and..." Kevin braced himself. 'Why does it feel so hard to say it?' He wondered. The wolf looked into his lap, hunched over. "I'm gay, too."
Instantly, Kevin felt arms around him. Keith was hugging him tight. "You were worried about THAT? Why would you be worried about what I think?"
"I...don't know..." Kevin's eyes began to leak hot, dripping tears. He collapsed into Keith's arms, his shoulders shaking. Paul was blown away. Kevin was always reserved and kept his calm. This wasn't like him.
"Shh..." Keith whispered. "Come on, it's okay...it's nothing to be ashamed of." Jamie couldn't help but smile to himself. The scene was quite familiar. He remembered all the pain he felt, and suddenly felt like he needed a hug. Jamie scootched closer to Paul, holding his favorite wolf tightly. Looking at the younger couple, Jamie added, "He's right, Kevin. It's not wrong. It just takes a while to come to terms with it. Believe me, I know."
"I know..." Kevin sniffed. "I'm...afraid. Paul, what's dad gonna do? You've heard him go on about gays before. And we're his only kids! And mom..." Kevin looked away.
"Kevin..." Paul sighed. "Mom will still love us. And Dad...well, he'll have to accept us sometime or another."
"Yeah...you're right, Paul." Kevin tried a smile and wiped his eyes. "But what are the chances? You and me both?"
Paul laughed. "Wow..."
The group finished their lunch in relative silence, Kevin shyly sidling up next to Keith. Jamie and Paul smiled, then got up to leave the younger couple in peace.
"Kinda ironic, isn't it?" Paul asked as they left for the building.
"Hmm? What?"
"My dad's such a homophobe, right? And now he's got two gay kids. Must have a dormant gay gene or something." Paul laughed. Suddenly, he sobered up. "Hey, there's Tré... What's up with him? He looks miserable..." Tré was shuffling out of the nearest school exit; anyone involved in athletics used those doors on a regular basis, due to its proximity to the football field.
The fox approached them slowly, almost...hesitantly. His face appeared haunted, pained. His eyes were bloodshot, from an apparent lack of sleep...
"...H-hey, guys..." Tré averted his eyes from Jamie. 'Fuck, I don't know what to do! I can't ruin anything...I don't want to hurt my friends...'
"Tré...God, what happened to you? Are you alright? You look, well..." Jamie didn't know how to finish.
"Fuckin' terrible...I know..."
"What happened?" Paul's eyes were contorted with concern.
"...This..." He reveiled his wrists. He felt a terrible shame upon hearing his friends' gasp. "I...I..." He couldn't finish. Tré's face crumpled, and he fell forward, Paul catching him. The wolf felt shocked. What could've driven Tré to the brink of suicide? Loud sobs sounded from the fox, his voice cracking. Paul lead him over to the side of the building, and they lowered against the wall.
'Oh God...' Jamie locked up. 'Tré tried to cut his wrists...Why?!' He almost felt sick. He'd almost lost a friend.
Tré managed to get himself into relative control after a couple minutes. "Guys, I...I completely regret what I did. I was hurting...for the same reason as you."
"So...you're...?"
"Mm-hmm..." Tré sniffed. But...there's more...I saw you two together, at the mall, and I was so...so jealous...I'm sorry. It's just that...I've liked you for a while, Jamie, but I didn't know that you were gay...and then Paul beat me to it." Paul's face was hot. He didn't know how to feel. Neither did Jamie, for that matter. "I'm sorry...I'm happy for you, I really am! I...I was just so torn up..."
"Oh..." Jamie was left without knowing what to say. "Tré...I'm still your friend...but Paul is my boyfriend. I love him. Hey, we're all still friends, okay? You'll find someone, I promise."
"Thank you, Jamie. Really. I-I just...need someone to talk to...it hurts to be alone..."
"You can talk to us, Tré, whenever you need to." Paul gripped the fox's shoulder. "We fully understand...or at least Jamie does..."
"You know..." Jamie thought aloud. "We should start some sort of Queer Club or something...we've already got five members here!" Everyone smiled at that; even Tré mustered up a small grin.
"Thanks, guys." Tré wiped his eyes with the back of his paw. "It means a lot...and it helps to know that I'm not alone."
"Sure thing." Jamie smiled, and the group entered the building. Melancholy still plagued Tré's heart, but the way Jamie and Paul had comforted him had let him know that they cared.
********************
Kevin and Keith were meandering through the halls slowly; they had left the rest of the group and were relatively alone. Still not knowing what exactly to say, Kevin figured he should say something, at least, to break the awkward silence.
"Keith..."
"Hmm?"
"Are we...I mean..." Kevin blushed. "I've liked you...for a while, now."
"Me, too." They laughed. "I mean, I like you. I've had a mad crush on you since seventh grade."
"Really? That long?"
"Yeah..." Keith's frowned a little. "God, I hated middle school! I was closet for so long..."
Kevin touched the leopard's shoulder. "I can't imagine..." Keith shook his head.
"Sure you can. You've dealt with it too."
"I guess...but not nearly as long as you have..." Their eyes met. Kevin hesitantly smiled. "But we both understand what it's like."
Keith smiled. "It makes it SO much easier to deal!"
"Hell, yeah!" They laughed quietly.
RING!!! They sighed.
"Damn lunch bell..."
********************
At the end of the school day, which never seemed to want to end, the four found themselves out in the parking lot, down at the far end. Kevin and Keith didn't have any afternoon classes together, so they both had time to think things through in a relatively solitary and peaceable manner. Kevin was sure that he had feelings for his friend. They had talked earlier, sure, but he wasn't sure what to actually DO. 'Should I ask him out? Would it get weird? God, we obviously like each other...'
Back in the present, the two of them were heading out to the parking lot; Paul was pretty much Kevin's designated giver-of-rides. Kevin asked, "Hey, Keith. You want to come over? I'd...um, like to talk, or whatever..." He felt his cheeks burn.
"Sure! That'd be cool."
Two certain older furs were glancing around the parking lot. By then, it was pretty empty. Smiling widely, Jamie buried himself into Paul's chest, feeling the wolf's head resting on his own. They hugged tightly. "Something up?" Paul asked.
"Nope." Jamie's gaze met the wolf's. "I just needed another hug." After a quick kiss, Jamie walked slowly over to his car. Waving, he called, "See you tomorrow!" Kevin and Keith had since then reached Paul's car, and waved to Jamie.
"See ya, Jamie!" Paul yelled before sliding into the driver's seat. The remaining two climbed into Paul's vehicle, rolling away in relative silence. In the back seat, two paws crept closer and closer, meeting in the middle. They clasped, and the owners of said paws smiled. Kevin thought to himself, 'Today was a pretty good day after all...'